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Low Stress Training, a plant training technique using gentle bending and tying to create a flat canopy for better light exposure.
Low Stress Training, abbreviated as LST, is a cannabis cultivation technique that involves gently bending and tying down branches to create a flat, even canopy. Unlike topping or other high-stress methods, LST does not involve cutting the plant, making it a lower-risk approach suitable for beginners and autoflowering varieties.
How to Apply LST
LST is typically started during early vegetative growth when stems are still flexible. The grower bends the main stem and tallest branches away from the center and ties them to the edge of the pot using soft plant ties, pipe cleaners, or wire. As the plant grows, new growth tips that rise above the canopy are bent and tied down as well. The goal is to keep all bud sites at approximately the same height, maximizing light exposure across the entire plant rather than concentrating it on one central cola.
Benefits
LST increases yield by ensuring that light reaches more bud sites, turning what would be small, shaded popcorn buds into fully developed flowers. Because it does not involve cutting, there is no recovery time, and the plant continues growing without interruption. LST is especially valuable for autoflowering strains, where the short lifecycle means any recovery delay from high-stress techniques can significantly reduce final yields. Many growers combine LST with other techniques like topping for maximum canopy control.